Taking into consideration that the growth hormone (GH) gene in rabbits is a candidate for meat production, understanding the genetic diversity and variation in this locus is of particular relevance. The present study comprised 86 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) divided into 3 groups: New Zealand White (NZW) outbred rabbits; first-generation inbred rabbits (F 1 ) and second-generation inbred rabbits (F 2 ). They were analysed by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism method. A 231 bp fragment of the polymorphic site of the GH gene was digested with Bsh1236 restriction enzyme. Single nucleotide polymorphisms for the studied GH locus corresponding to 3 genotypes were detected in the studied rabbit populations: CC, CT and TT. In the synthetic inbred F 1 and F 2 populations, the frequency of the heterozygous genotype CT was 0.696 and 0.609, respectively, while for the homozygous CC genotype the frequency was lower (0.043 and 0.000), and respective values for the homozygous TT genotype were 0.261 and 0.391. This presumed a preponderance of the T allele (0.609 and 0.696) over the C allele (0.391 and 0.304) in these groups. In outbred rabbits, the allele frequencies were 0.613 (allele C) and 0.387 (allele Т); consequently, the frequency of the homozygous CC genotype was higher than that of the homozygous TT genotype (0.300 vs. 0.075). Observed heterozygosity for the GH gene was higher than expected, and the result was therefore a negative inbreeding coefficient (Fis=-0.317 for outbred NZW rabbits; -0.460 for inbred F 1 and -0.438 for inbred F 2 ), indicating a sufficient number of heterozygous forms in all studied groups of rabbits. The application of narrow inbreeding by breeding full sibs in the synthetic population did not cause a rapid increase in homozygosity.

The aim of the present study was to compare the prevalence of microbial agents involved in canine otitis externa and their sensitivity to antibacterial drugs in two periods: 2007–2011 and 2013–2017. For 2013–2017, coagulase-positive staphylococci were the dominating bacterial species (186 isolates), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (82 strains). The rate of isolated yeasts (mainly Malassezia pachydermatis) was substantially high (152 isolates). Compared to the earlier period (2007–2011) a tendency to more frequent occurrence of co-infections was noted – 61.7% and more than 80% of co-infections involved yeasts. Antibacterial resistance patterns showed a clear trend to increased resistance of coagulase-positive staphylococci and β-haemolytic streptococci to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (42% and 50% respectively) and gentamicin (29%, 40%). Increased resistance of P. aeruginosa was established to gentamicin (16%) and amikacin (18%). The prevalence of pseudomonads resistant to enrofloxacin was lower (27%).

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The aim of the recent study was to determine the morphological characteristics of the donkey population in some areas of Bulgaria. The number of donkeys included in the research was 96, bred in three regions of Bulgaria -Kardzhali, Stara Zagora and Sofia. Four exterior measurements were taken from each donkey as follow: height at withers, body length, chest circumference and cannon bone circumference. Height at withers and body length were measured with measuring stick the two circumferences were taken with measuring tape. The main coat color of the donkeys was determent as part of the study. The estimated mean value for height at withers was 119.8 cm with variation within the range of 99 cm to 148 cm; the mean body length value was 124 cm ranging from 102 cm to 154 cm. Chest circumference ranged from 115 cm to 160 cm, average 136 cm and cannon bone circumference is with mean value of 16 cm varying from 13 cm to 20 cm. More common coat colors of the examined donkeys were brown and grey with the typical dark cross on the back.

The aim of this study was to determine the deleterious effects of nonlethal gamma radiation on testes and their possible inhibition by Haberlea rhodopensis extract (HRE). For this goal, 20 male New Zealand rabbits were divided into 4 groups: group I -untreated, group II -treated with HRE extract, group III -exposed to 2 Gy gamma radiation, group IV -treated with HRE (0.24 g/kg b.w.) two hours before irradiation with 2 Gy. Exposure of animals to 2.0 Gy gamma radiation resulted into significant decrease in tubular diameter and the area of the seminiferous tubules on the 15 th day after irradiation. HRE pretreatment resulted in significant increase in tubular diameter and the area of the seminiferous tubules as compared to the irradiated group. Radiation-induced histological lesions in testicular architecture were more severe in irradiated only than in HRE-treated irradiated rabbits. HRE administration before irradiation significantly attenuated radiation-induced histological damages in testes. These observations indicate the radioprotective potential of Haberlea Rhodopensis leaves extract against the effects of whole body gamma irradiation on rabbit testicular histostructure.